Sporting legend hints at comeback from retirement at 38 | OneFootball

Nani hung up his boots almost a year ago, but he does not rule out the possibility of returning to play officially, even if it’s for a team in the lower leagues. Although there is no concrete offer, the former Sporting player, now 38 years old, left the door open to the idea.

“Who knows? I was born for football and football was made for me. Wherever there’s a ball, there’s a game. It doesn’t matter if it’s the league down there or not. What matters is what we’re going to show and what we’re going to do. I play in some tournaments; there’s one every year in the United States that is a lot of fun and competitive. There’s a tournament here in Portugal and we’re trying to improve it, so that we have a good atmosphere for everyone, with former players, famous people, where we can keep playing sports and having fun. I’ll always be connected to the game. But, to answer the question, it’s possible. I’m not saying no,” he began, in statements made at the SBC Summit.

Next, Nani went on to comment on his return to Alvalade, where he took part in the Legends Charity Game: “It was really good, it was fun. We had moments of great camaraderie and good football as well. For me, it was also an opportunity to share the field with some idols from my childhood. Some of those who were there were my inspiration and my motivation for football, they made me fall in love with football here in Portugal and it was really great. Being able to share some moments with them, laugh, talk, exchange some ideas, it’s wonderful. Figo, for example. As everyone knows, I’ve always said Figo was an idol. And after meeting him in person and realizing he’s a spectacular person, very funny, always laughing, always joking, it’s really great, really great.”

“The game will never leave me. As long as I stay in shape and have the conditions, I’ll want to play matches and as many matches as possible. After so many years playing under a lot of pressure, a lot of stress, focus and dedication, now we go back to being kids, right? When we were kids and played without pressure, it was just about playing and having fun. Now it’s the same thing. That’s why I accept these games, with the intention of having fun, relaxing a bit, and doing what I love most,” he added.

Finally, Nani spoke about the work he’s been doing with young people at his new academy, whose “idea is to try to help them make the most of the academy and develop their technical and psychological skills. We give them opportunities to meet other kids, to be in a world where they can also have a lot of fun. That’s our goal, to give them the chance to interact with me as well, since I have a lot of experience in the professional football world. Many of them want to share some moments, ask some questions, and I do my part, sometimes with some funny answers, and they get motivated and inspired for training and for matches.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.